Welcome

Digital innovation and strong corporate governance have collided.

Boardrooms are tasked with re-thinking the board member profile and committee structure in light of innovation and emerging transitional risks.

In addition to my current board service, I've spent the better part of three years immersed in blockchain, artificial intelligence, cloud and digital disruption initiatives. I understand these new technologies but I also appreciate the challenges faced by management with regard to legacy systems and processes. Being up to date and educated on these initiatives allow for thought provoking and robust discussions in the boardroom and with management.

Enjoy my thoughts on these topics!

About

Christa Steele is an experienced CEO, Board Member and well-known speaker and thought leader of Digital Disruption and Corporate Governance in the new digital age.

Steele currently serves on the Board of Directors of:

1) Recology, CA a) Audit Committee Member, b) Nominating/Governance Committee Member and c) Compensation Committee Member and d) Leadership Development Committee Member

2) OFG Bancorp (NYSE: OFG), Puerto Rico a) Audit Committee Member

3) Tanimura & Antle, CA a) Compensation Committee Chair and b) Nominating/Governance Committee Member

She also serves on the non-profit board of directors for the NACD Northern California Chapter, CA and Pacific Coast Banking School, WA.

Until recently, Steele was a partner and board member of FIG Partners, a highly successful investment bank with ten locations across the United States. In April 2019, FIG Partners was acquired by Janney Montgomery Scott.

Prior to board directorship, she became the youngest CEO in the U.S. to lead a $3.5 Billion asset size bank located in the San Francisco Bay Area of CA. As former CEO of a company with $500 million in market cap, Steele led improved core earnings 43% in a single calendar year, doubled the banks’ value in less than two years, and successfully led its sale for a premium in 2015.

Steele was recognized by Private Company Director Magazine in October 2019 as a North America 2019 "Director to Watch" and received previous recognition by the San Francisco Business Times as "Most Influential Leader in Bay Area Business" and by Crowe Horwath for driving significant financial performance improvement.

Steele's expertise leading a complex, highly scrutinized and regulated company provides a desirable and diverse skill-set transferable across multiple industry verticals.

Steele qualifies as a financial and audit expert from time served as CEO overseeing the financial complexities of a financial institution. In addition, she possesses an in-depth understanding of how to manage market growth, expansion, divestiture, recession, corporate litigation, shareholder lawsuit, legacy ownership, conflict resolution, and human capital.

Steele is a Board Leadership Fellow with the National Association of Corporate Directors, holds an MBA from University of Southern Ca and an undergraduate degree from California State University Sacramento.